IR thermometry probe cover

ABSTRACT

A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/420,926, filed on Apr. 9, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No.8,231,271, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a protective cover for theprobe of a medical instrument that is insertable into a body cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of medical instruments, such as an infrared (IR) thermometer,contain a probe for insertion into a body cavity so that various bodyrelated measurement can be taken. In order to preventcross-contamination between patients, or health care workers andpatients, the probe is generally enclosed within a protective coverwhich can be disposed of in a sanitary manner after it has been used.Typically the covers are manufactured of plastic using different typesof molding techniques, many of which produce products that have surfaceimperfections or which cannot be held to tight tolerances. In addition,while most protective covers are packaged and shipped with the coversbeing stacked one inside the other, unstacking such covers and placingthem upon the probe of an instrument can be extremely difficult. Forexample, since such covers are generally connected and/or otherwiseloaded onto the medical instrument by pressing the probe onto/into thefirst cover in the stack, the remaining covers beneath the first probecover tend to wedge together and/or otherwise bind in the stack witheach successive loading operation. As a consequence, such probe coverscan be damaged and dropped during removal from the stack. Displacementof a misshapened cover from the instrument probe during an examinationcan also be unnerving to both the attending health care individuals andthe patient. Lastly, defective covers can hang up on the instrumentduring removal thus requiring unwanted manual handling of a potentiallycontaminated product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the embodiments described in thisdisclosure to improve disposable probe covers that are suitable for usein the protection of insertion probes of medical instruments.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide for easy removalof a protective probe cover from a supply stack of covers.

A further object of the present disclosure is to more positively securea protective probe cover to a medical instrument to insure that thecover does not become dislodged during a patient examination.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to allow for thefree release of a used probe cover from a medical instrument.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to minimize the amountof manual handling that is required when loading and unloading aprotective probe cover from a medical instrument.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to minimize the riskof damaging a protective probe cover as the cover is being loaded upon amedical instrument.

These and other objects of the present disclosure are attained by aremovable protective cover for a medical instrument that contains aprobe that is suitable for insertion into a body cavity. The covercontains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe and/or tipgeometry of the instrument and a radially disposed flange that surroundthe proximal end of the body. A series of snap on fasteners removablyconnect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on theouter face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that ismovably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently toopen the fastener and release the cover from the instrument. Alignmenttabs are further provided on the flange that mate with openings in theinstrument to properly register the cover with regard to the instrument.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a probe coverfor a medical instrument includes a distal end, a proximal end oppositethe distal end, and an annular flange extending around the proximal end.The probe cover also includes a camming surface defined by the flangeand configured to mate with an ejector mechanism of the instrument. Asection of the flange may be configured to flex in response toapplication of a force to the camming surface by the ejector mechanism,wherein such flexing releases the cover from the instrument.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofremoving a probe cover from a medical instrument includes slidablyengaging a cam follower surface of the medical instrument with a cammingsurface of the cover, the camming surface extending at least partiallyaround a proximal end of the cover. The method also includes flexing asection of the proximal end in response to the engagement between thecam follower surface and the camming surface, and disengaging a covedefined by an inner surface of the cover from a detent bead of theinstrument in response to the flexing.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a systemfor probe cover storage includes a first probe cover having a distalend, a proximal end, an annular flange extending around the proximalend, and a camming surface defined by the flange and configured to matewith an ejector mechanism of the instrument. A section of the flange maybe configured to flex in response to application of a force to thecamming surface by the ejector mechanism. The first probe cover alsoincludes a shelf extending along at least a portion of an outer surfaceof the flange and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis ofthe cover. In such an exemplary embodiment, the system also includes asecond probe cover stacked on top of the first probe cover such that thedistal end of the first probe cover is disposed substantially adjacentto a distal end of the second probe cover. The second probe coverincludes a base disposed on the shelf of the first probe cover such thata gap is formed between the first probe cover and the second probecover, the gap extending from the shelf to the distal end of the firstprobe cover.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, amethod of storing probe covers for a medical instrument includesdesirably positioning a first probe cover at a storage location, anddisposing a second probe cover on top of the first probe cover such thata distal end of the first probe cover is located substantially within adistal end of the second probe cover and a proximal end of the firstprobe cover is located substantially directly beneath and adjacent to aproximal end of the second probe cover. The method also includes matinga base formed on an inner surface of the second probe cover with a shelfformed on an outer surface of the first probe cover, the basemaintaining a gap extending between the first and second surface.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a probecover for a medical instrument includes a substantially conical bodyhaving a distal end, a proximal end, and a flange annularly surroundingthe proximal end, the body defining a longitudinal axis and taperingaway from the longitudinal axis from the distal end toward the proximalend. The probe cover also includes an IR transparent lens disposed atthe distal end of the body, and a cove formed by an inner surface of thebody, the cove extending annularly around the body and being configuredto receive a plurality of detent beads of the instrument for releasablyconnecting the probe cover to the instrument. The probe cover furtherincludes a camming surface defined by the flange and configured toreceive an ejector finger of the instrument, and a weakened sectionformed proximate the cove. The weakened section is configured to bend inresponse to an upward force applied to the camming surface by theejector finger, wherein bending of the weakened section removes the covefrom the plurality of detent beads and releases the probe cover from theinstrument. In such an exemplary embodiment, the cover further includesan annular shelf extending transverse to the longitudinal axis, theshelf being disposed substantially above the cove and defined by aportion of an outer surface of the cover opposite the cove. Such anexemplary probe cover also includes a base configured to rest upon ashelf of an additional probe cover stacked therebeneath, wherein amaximum vertical distance between the camming surface and the base isgreater than or equal to approximately half of a maximum verticaldistance between the cove and the base. Moreover, in such an exemplaryembodiment, a horizontal distance between a vertically uppermost portionof the face and a radially outermost portion of the cove is less thanapproximately twice the maximum vertical distance between the cove andthe base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of these and other objects of the presentdisclosure, reference will be made to the following detailed descriptionof the invention which is to be read in association with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial view in perspective illustrating the probe end of amedical instrument showing a protective cover embodying the inventionsecurely affixed to the instrument;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1showing the protective cover moved to a release position;

FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the probe end of an IRthermometer with portion broken away to show the apparatus of theinvention in greater detail;

FIG. 4 is a prospective view of the tip end of probe for use in amedical instrument embodying the present invention with the protectivecover removed;

FIG. 5 is a prospective view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4showing a protective cover secured to the tip of the instrument probe;

FIG. 6 is a prospective view similar to that shown in FIG. 5 with thecover mounted upon the probe tip in an unsecured condition;

FIG. 7A is a partial view in section showing the probe tip of a medicalinstrument with a protective cover secured to the instrument in a lockedposition;

FIG. 7B is an enlarged partial view showing in greater detail one of thesnap-on fasteners in a locked position as well as the cover ejectormechanism;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7A showing the ejector mechanism movedto a releasing position;

FIG. 9A is a partial view similar to that shown in FIG. 7A showing afurther embodiment of the invention with one of the fastener in a lockedposition;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged view showing the snap-on fastener and the ejectormechanism shown in FIG. 9A in greater detail;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating a number of protective coversstacked one inside the other;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a probe cover according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, including a portionbroken away to show the probe cover in greater detail;

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a probecover according to a further exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure, with a portion broken away to show the probe cover ingreater detail;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a probe cover according to stillanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, with a portionbroken away to show the probe cover in greater detail;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary probe cover ofthe present disclosure being acted on by an ejector mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a number of probe coversstacked on top of and substantially inside one another;

FIG. 16 is another exemplary embodiment of the probe cover and ejectormechanism show in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view and a cross-sectional view of a probe coveraccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,including a portion broken away to show the probe cover in greaterdetail; and

FIG. 18 is an isometric view and a cross-sectional view of a probe coveraccording to still another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure, including a portion broken away to show the probe cover ingreater detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, the present disclosure relates to aprotective probe cover, generally referenced 10, that will be describedherein with regard to an infrared thermometer 11. It should be clear toone skilled in the art, however, that an embodiment of the presentdisclosure can be used in conjunction with various other medicalinstruments having an extended probe for insertion into a body cavity.As pointed out above, disposable protective covers are placed over theprobes to mitigate the danger of cross contamination occurring duringand after an examination. The covers found in the prior art aretypically made of plastic and are fabricated using various moldingprocesses. Many of these molding methods, however, create imperfectionsin the final product and are unable to hold the product to closetolerances, thus resulting in unwanted and potentially dangerousproblems arising particularly during a medical procedure.

Testing has shown that probe covers that are fabricated by the injectionmolding process can be held to tight tolerances while still having adesired amount of flexibility that help overcome many fabricationproblems. Accordingly, the exemplary probe covers described herein maycomprise plastic covers that have been formed by one or more of vacuumforming, thermoforming, and injection molding.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the top section of a hand held IR thermometer 11.The instrument includes a lower body section 12 and an upper headsection 13 that contains an insertion probe that protrudes outwardlysome distance from the head of the instrument. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the proximal end section 15 of the probe is cylindrical in form and issecured by any suitable means to the head. The distal end 16 of theprobe projects outwardly from the head and is conical shaped so as totaper downwardly from the cylindrical body of the probe towards thedistal end tip 17. An IR sensor 18 is mounted in the tip of the probe.Although not shown, the sensor 18 is connected by electrical leads to aprocessor that is located within the body of the instrument whichprovides an accurate temperature read out to the user.

The probe cover 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 mounted upon the extendedend of the probe in a locked position wherein the cover is securelyfastened to the probe. The inner wall surface 53 of the covercomplements the conical wall surface of probe. As will be explained infurther detail below, the cover 10 may be releasably secured to theprobe by a series of snap-on fasteners 50. As illustrated in FIG. 3, anejector mechanism, generally referenced 25, is slidably mounted insidethe instrument head upon the cylindrical section of the probe. Theejector mechanism is equipped with a circular ring 24 that surrounds thecylindrical section of the probe to provide a close running fittherebetween so that the ejector mechanism can be moved, for example,axially along the centerline 29 of the probe between a first coverlocking position and a second cover releasing position. In additionalexemplary embodiments, the ejector mechanism, or at least a componentthereof, may be moved along an arcuate path to facilitate release of thecover 10.

The ring of the ejector mechanism contains a raised finger-engageablecontrol button 26 that passes upwardly through an opening 27 containedin the head of the instrument. When the control button is situated atthe back of the opening as shown in FIG. 1, the ejector mechanism is inthe first probe locking position. Manual movement of the control buttonto the front of the opening as illustrated in FIG. 2 places the ejectormechanism a second probe releasing position.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-6 there is illustrated the front circularshoulder mount 30 of the probe assembly which is retained within thefront wall 31 of the instrument head to support the distal end 16 of theprobe in assembly. FIG. 4 shows the probe without a cover. Two opposedarcuate shaped slots 33-33 are located in the probe mount 30 that arecentered upon the longitudinal axis 29 of the probe. A pair of arcuateshaped fingers 35-35 that are integrally joined to the ejector ring 24and are slidably contained within the slots 33-33. The fingers arearranged to be extended and retracted along an upward and/or arcuatepath as the ejector moves between the first and second positions. Aseries of circumferentially spaced segmented detent beads 38-38 aremounted upon the probe and, as will be explained in greater detailbelow, each bead section is the male part of a two-part snap on fittingfor releasably securing the probe cover 10 to the instrument. Preferablythree equally spaced fittings are employed to secure the cover to theinstruments, however, more or less fittings may be employed dependingupon the particular application.

FIG. 5 illustrates a protective cover 10 mounted in a locked positionupon the probe. At this time, the flange 40 of the cover has engaged thefingers 35-35 of the ejector mechanism and has moved the ejector back tothe cover locking position due to the rearward movement of the coverover the probe. Full rearward movement is attained when the snap-onfasteners engage the bead segments on the probe.

FIG. 6 illustrates a probe cover located upon the probe with the ejectormechanism in the cover releasing position. At this time the controlbutton 25 (FIG. 3) has been moved forward causing the ejector mechanismto unlock the fasteners thus releasing the cover. In addition thecontinued movement of the ejector toward the distal end of the probefrees the cover from the probe.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8 illustrate a first embodiment of the apparatus forsecuring and releasing a probe cover from the instrument. FIG. 7A showsthe above described ejector mechanism 25 moved back into the first coverlocking position and a snap-on fasteners generally reference 50 in acover securing condition. At this time the cover is snuggly containedupon the probe. The cover contains an IR transparent lens or window 19mounted in the distal tip thereof which is now located in closeproximity with the IR sensor 18 (see FIG. 3).

With further reference to FIG. 7B the securing and releasing apparatusis shown in further detail in the locked position. Each snap-on fastener50 includes two mating parts or sections. These include the previouslynoted bead segment 38 located upon the probe surface that mates with anarcuate and/or otherwise operatively shaped cove 42 that is contained inand/or formed by the inner wall surface 53 of the cover and/or theflange 40. The cove preferably extends circularly about the axis of thecover and services each of the detent beads. The cover wall section thatencircles the cove provides a weakened section in the cover about whichthe cover can flex when an upward force is applied to the flange, suchas at an outer face 56 of the flange. Such a weakened section may bedisposed proximal to or distal to the cove 42. In an exemplaryembodiment, a circular camming surface 58 is contained in the outer faceof the flange that runs along the rim of the flange. In additionalexemplary embodiments, the camming surface may be defined by any portionof the flange convenient for receiving a component of the ejectormechanism 25. The camming surface may be angularly offset with regard tothe axis of the cover. The distal end of the two fingers 35 of theejector mechanism is provided with a arcuate surface 60 that is arrangedto ride in contact with camming surface 58 as the ejector mechanismmoves between the first and second positions. Surface 60 thus serves asa cam follower in system. Although surface 60 is shown arcuate in form,it can, in practice, be a flat surface that rides in sliding contactwith camming surface 58 without departing from the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7B shows the probe cover 10 in a locked position with the snapfitting closed thereby securing the cover to the probe. At this time theejector mechanism is in the cover locking position. Moving the ejectorbutton forward moves the cam follower against the camming surface offlange causing the lower portion of the cover to flex about the weakenedwall section which surrounds the cove 42. Sufficient flexure is providedto free the detent beads 38 from the cove 42. Thus, releasing the coverfrom the probe. As shown in FIG. 8, further forward movement of theejector moves the cover well clear of the probe surface so that it canfall easily from probe under the influences of gravity.

A series of semi circular tabs 65 are circumferentially spaced upon theouter face of the flange and arranged to mate with openings 66 in theraised shoulder 30 of the probe so that the snap-on fittings will mateproperly at the time of closure.

FIGS. 11-18 illustrate additional exemplary embodiments of the probecover 10. As shown in, for example, FIG. 11, an exemplary probe cover 10may define a distal end 82, a proximal end 84 opposite the distal end82, and an annular flange 40 extending around the proximal end 84. Theprobe cover 10 may also define a longitudinal axis 92.

In such an exemplary embodiment, the proximal end 84 and/or the flange40 may define one or more components of the probe cover 10. For example,the flange 40 may define the camming surface 58. The camming surface 58may be formed at any desirable angle relative to the longitudinal axis92 to facilitate engagement with one or more components of the ejectormechanism 25 discussed above. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, thecamming surface 58 may be disposed at an acute included angle relativeto the longitudinal axis 92 to facilitate a camming and/or otherwiseslidable relationship between the camming surface 58 and, for example, afinger 35 of the ejector mechanism 25. In an exemplary embodiment, thecamming surface 58 may taper substantially upwardly and substantiallyinwardly from the proximal end 84 of the cover 10 toward thelongitudinal axis 92 and/or the distal end 82.

In such an exemplary embodiment, the camming surface 58 may define apeak 74 disposed at a highest vertical elevation along the cammingsurface 58 and relative to the longitudinal axis 92. In an exemplaryembodiment, the peak 74 may be formed by a substantially rounded portionof the camming surface 58 and/or of the inner surface 53 of the probecover 10. Alternatively, the peak 74 may be defined as an angled portionof the camming surface 58 and/or of the inner surface 53.

As shown in FIG. 11, one or more portions of the flange 40 may alsodefine the weakened section 88. In an exemplary embodiment, the weakenedsection 88 may be formed by a portion of the cove 42. In additionalexemplary embodiments, the weakened section 88 may be disposed adjacentto the portion of the flange 40 forming the camming surface 58. As willbe described in greater detail below with respect to, for example, FIG.14, the weakened section 88 may be configured to bend, and/or otherwiseflex in response to application of a force to the camming surface 58,and the range of flexing may depend upon, for example, the shape, size,and/or other configurations of the section 88.

In addition, the flange 40 may define a base 72 of the probe cover 10.In an exemplary embodiment, the base 72 may be substantially annularand, in an additional exemplary embodiment, the flange 40 may define achannel, break, and/or space (not shown) between two or more adjacentbases 72. Such a channel, break, and/or space may assist in reducingand/or eliminating, for example, the formation of a negative pressurebetween two adjacent stacked probe covers 10 during storage, and maythereby assist in removing such probe covers 10 from the stack forusage.

As shown in FIG. 11, the base 72 may comprise a substantially horizontalplatform and/or other like surface configured to support the probe cover10 while stacked, while in storage, and/or while removably connected toa medical instrument during use. As shown in, for example, FIG. 15, thebase 72 may extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis92 and may be configured to rest upon a shelf 76 of an additional probecover 10 stacked there beneath. In this way, the base 72 may beanalogous to the tabs 65 shown in, for example, FIG. 10. Such anexemplary shelf 76 may be defined by the flange 40, and in an exemplaryembodiment, the shelf 76 may extend along at least a portion of an outersurface 78 of the probe cover 10 and/or flange 40. It is understood thatthe outer surface 78 of the probe cover 10 may form the outer surface ofthe flange 40, and the inner surface 53 of the probe cover 10 may formthe inner surface of the flange 40. As shown in FIG. 11, in an exemplaryembodiment, the shelf 76 may extend substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 92 of the cover 10. In additional exemplaryembodiments, the shelf 76 may extend at any desirable angle relative tothe longitudinal axis 92 to facilitate support of an additional probecover 10 stacked thereon and/or to assist in releasably connecting theprobe cover 10 to a medical instrument.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cove 42 may be defined by the innersurface 53 of the probe cover 10, and at least a portion of the cove 42may be fainted by the flange 40. As described above, the cove 42 may beshaped, sized, positioned, and/or otherwise configured to releasablymate with one or more detent beads 38 (FIG. 14) to facilitate aremovable connection between the medical instrument and the probe cover10. In an exemplary embodiment, the cove 42 may be formed by the sameportion of the flange 40 forming the shelf 76. In particular, the cove42 may be disposed substantially beneath the shelf 76 such that the cove42 is at least partially defined by the same portion of the flange 40that forms the shelf 76. As shown in FIG. 11, a remainder of the cove 42may be formed by one or more substantially vertical and/or otherwiseangled, bent, and/or curved portions of the flange 40 and/or the innersurface 53.

As is also illustrated in FIG. 11, one or more spatial and/ordimensional relationships may be maintained between the components ofthe probe cover 10 described herein. Such relationships may assist in,for example, releasing the probe cover 10 from the medical instrumentupon the application of sufficient force by the ejector mechanism 25(FIG. 14). For example, an exemplary probe cover 10 may define a maximumvertical distance Z between the camming surface 58 and the base 72. Asshown in FIG. 11, the maximum vertical distance Z may be measured fromthe base 72 to the peak 74, in a direction parallel to the longitudinalaxis 92. The probe cover 10 may also define a maximum vertical distanceX between the cove 42 and the base 72. The maximum vertical distance Xmay be measured from, for example, an uppermost portion of the cove 42such as, for example, from substantially flat ceiling 43 of the cove 42illustrated in FIG. 11. In an alternative exemplary embodiment in whichthe cove 42 is substantially rounded, such as the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 13, the maximum vertical distance X may be measuredfrom the base 72 to a distal-most portion 73 of the cove 42.

In the exemplary embodiments described herein, the maximum verticaldistance Z between the camming surface 58 and the base 72 may be greaterthan or equal to approximately half of the maximum vertical distance Xbetween the cove 42 and the base 72. In additional exemplaryembodiments, the maximum vertical distance Z may be greater than orequal to approximately ⅗ of the maximum vertical distance X. In stillfurther exemplary embodiments, other desirable relationships between themaximum vertical distances, Z, X may be maintained in order tofacilitate, for example, flexing of the weakened section 88 and/orrelease of the probe cover 10 from the medical instrument. In theexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the distance X may bebetween approximately 2.2 mm and approximately 2.3 mm. For example, thedistance X may be equal to approximately 2.28 mm. In addition, thedistance Z may be between approximately 1.7 mm and approximately 1.8 mm.For example, the distance Z may be equal to approximately 1.78 mm.

In addition, any desirable horizontal distance Y between the peak 74 ofthe camming surface 58 and a radially outer-most portion of the cove 42may be maintained to facilitate flexing of the weakened section 88. Inexemplary embodiments, it may be desirable to minimize the horizontaldistance Y in order to reduce the distance the camming surface 58 and/orthe finger 25 must travel in order to release the cover 10 from themedical instrument. Reducing the distance Y may, thus, result in easierand/or quicker release of the probe cover 10 from the instrument. Asshown in FIG. 11, the horizontal distance Y may be measured from theradially outer most portion of the cove 42 and, in exemplary embodimentsin which the cove 42 is substantially rounded (FIG. 13) the distance Ymay be measured from a horizontal peak 75 of the cove 42. In exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure, the horizontal distance Y may beless than approximately twice the maximum vertical distance X betweenthe cove 42 and the base 72. In such exemplary embodiments, the distanceX may have any of the values discussed above and the distance Y may bebetween approximately 2.2 mm and approximately 2.3 mm. For example, thedistance Y may be equal to approximately 2.275 mm.

As shown in FIG. 12, in additional exemplary embodiments, the probecover 10 may include one or more ribs 80. Such ribs 80 may be disposedon, for example, a radially outer-most portion of the flange 40. Inaddition, and/or alternatively, such ribs 80 may be disposed on one ormore inner-portions of the flange 40. Such ribs 80 may assist instrengthening portions of the flange 40 and/or providing a desired levelof structural rigidity thereto. Such added strength and/or structuralrigidity may improve the functionality of, for example, the cammingsurface 58, the weakened section 88, and/or the cove 42. For example,such added structural rigidity may assist the camming surface 58 inmating with the fingers 35 of the ejector mechanism 25 in order todesirably release the cover 10 from the medical instrument. In addition,such structural rigidity may assist the cove 42 in removably connectingwith the detent bead 38. In further exemplary embodiments, such ribs 80may also assist in desirably spacing and/or aligning 2 or more probecovers 10 in a stacked configuration. For example, such ribs 80 mayassist in spacing each of the probe covers 10 relative to each other tofurther facilitate removal of each individual covers 10 from the stack.Such ribs 80 may have any shape, size, orientation, and/or otherconfiguration in order to accentuate some of the advantages describedabove. In addition, while FIG. 12 illustrates a plurality of ribs 80disposed along an entire circumference of the probe cover 10, inadditional exemplary embodiments, it is envisioned that one or more ribs80 may be desirably disposed along only a portion of and/or portions ofsuch circumferences. FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate additional exemplaryembodiments of the probe cover 10 in which a substantially verticalextension 91 has been added to and/or defined by the camming surface 58.The embodiment of FIG. 17 does not include ribs 80, and is substantiallystructurally similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, while theembodiment of FIG. 18 does include ribs 80 and is substantiallystructurally similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12. As describedabove, such ribs 80 may increase the structural rigidity of, forexample. the flange 40.

As shown in FIG. 14, and as mentioned above, the ejector mechanism 25may be utilized to remove the probe cover 10 from a medical instrumentsuch as, for example, an IR thermometer or other like device. Theejector mechanism 25 may be a component of such an instrument, and in anexemplary embodiment, the probe cover 10 may be removed from theinstrument by slidably engaging the cam follower surface 60 of thefinger 35 with the camming surface 58 of the cover 10. The finger 35 maybe manually actuated by the user of the instrument, and as shown in FIG.14, one or more components of the ejector mechanism 25, such as thefinger 35, may travel in a substantially arcuate path as it mates withthe camming surface 58. Such an arcuate path is illustrated by arrow 90.The surface 60 may ride distally along substantially the entire cammingsurface 58 in removing the cover 10 from the instrument, and as thefinger 35 is actuated in the direction of arrow 90, the flange 40 and/orother portions of the cover 10 may flex and/or otherwise bend about theweakened section of the flange 40. In an exemplary embodiment, suchflexing may increase as the finger 35 is moved distally and/or in thedirection of arrow 90. Flexing the cover 10 about the weakened section88 in response to engagement between the surface 60 and the cammingsurface 58 may disengaged the cove 42 from the detent bead 38 of theinstrument. It is also understood that as the cover 10 is flexed, atleast a portion of the camming surface 58 may be moved in a directiontoward the longitudinal axis 92 (FIGS. 11-13), and that as the camfollower surface 60 slidably engages the camming surface 58, the surface60 may also move in a direction toward the longitudinal axis 92. Instill further exemplary embodiments, in removing the cover 10 from theinstrument, the finger 35 may be actuated distally along a pathsubstantially away from the longitudinal axis 92. Such an exemplary pathmay be linear or arcuate, and in such exemplary embodiments as the cover10 is flexed at the weakened portion, at least a portion of the cammingsurface 58 may be moved in a direction away from the longitudinal axis92. In addition, as the cam follower surface 60 slidably engages thecamming surface 58 in such embodiments, the surface 60 may also move ina direction away from the longitudinal axis 92.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 14, as the weakened section 88 is bentby the application of force from the finger 35, at least a portion ofthe cove 42 may lift off of the detent bead 38. The actual point atwhich the cove 42 may disengaged from the detent bead 38 may varydepending on the shape, size, and/or other configurations of the variouscovers 42 and detent beads 38 described herein. It is understood that,however, moving at least a proximal portion of the cove 42 beyond a peak39 of the detent bead 38 may disengaged the cove 42 therefrom. Inexemplary embodiment, such a peak 39 may be defined by a radiallyoutward-most point and/or section of the detent bead 38. For example,movement of the proximal portion of the cove 42 to the peak 39 and/or toa location distal to the peak 39 may disengaged the cove 42 from thedetent bead 38.

As shown in FIG. 14, it is also understood that bending at least aportion of the flange 40 at the weakened section 88 may assist inseparating at least a portion of the proximal end 84 of the probe cover10 from the probe. In an exemplary embodiment, such separation may formand/or increase the size of a gap 94 between the inner surface 53 of theprobe cover 10 and the distal end 16 of the probe. FIG. 16 illustratesan additional exemplary embodiment of the ejector mechanism 25 and probecover shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 illustrates a system for protecting an insertion probe of amedical device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system may include one ormore probe covers 10, 10 a desirably stacked on top of each other. Suchstacking may be convenient for storage and/or transportation of theprobe covers 10, 10 a.

In an exemplary embodiment, any of the probe covers 10 described hereinmay be stored and/or otherwise stacked as shown in FIG. 15, and one ormore components of the probe covers 10 described herein may assist inpreventing deformation and/or damage to the respective probe covers 10while stacked. In addition, one or more of the components describedherein may assist in preventing adjacent probe covers 10, 10 a frombinding and/or otherwise sticking together when stacked. It isunderstood that such sticking may be caused by, for example, theformation of a negative pressure environment between surfaces ofadjacent probe covers 10, 10 a. Such sticking and/or wedging may also becaused by, for example, repeatedly applying axial/longitudinal force onthe stack of adjacent probe covers 10 during attachment to the probe.

In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of theribs 80, base 72, shelf 76, and/or other components of each respectiveprobe cover 10 may assist in preventing stacked probe covers fromsticking together. For example, when stacked together, a second probecover 10 a may be disposed on top of a first probe cover 10 such that adistal end (not shown) of the first probe cover 10 is locatedsubstantially within a distal end (not shown) of the second probe cover10 a. When so situated, the proximal end 84 of the first probe cover 10may be located substantially directly beneath and/or adjacent to theproximal end 84 of the second probe cover 10 a. In an exemplaryembodiment, one or more ribs 80 of the first probe cover 10 may matewith and/or otherwise engage one or more corresponding ribs 80 of thesecond probe cover 10 a in such a stacked configuration. It isunderstood that engagement of such ribs 80 may assist in preventing twoor more adjacent surfaces of the respective probe covers 10, 10 a fromsticking together while stacked.

In additional exemplary embodiments, the probe covers 10, 10 a may bestacked such that the base 72 of the second probe cover 10 a is disposedupon and/or otherwise mated with the shelf 76 of the first probe cover10. In such an exemplary embodiment, the shelf 76 may act as a hard stoppreventing the second probe cover 10 a from moving further in thedirection of arrow 91. Although the base 72 of the second probe cover 10a may be disposed at any location laterally along the shelf 76, it maybe desirable to substantially align the longitudinal axis 92 of thesecond probe cover 10 a with the longitudinal axis 92 of the first probecover 10 so as to maximize the surface area of the base 72 engaged withthe shelf 76. In exemplary embodiments, the base 72 and/or the shelf 76of each probe cover 10, 10 a may be sized to account for an acceptabledegree of misalignment therebetween while stacked.

As described above, the shelf 76 may extend substantially annularlyaround the outer surface 78 of the probe cover 10 and/or the flange 40.Such a configuration may assist in supporting an adjacent probe cover 10a thereon regardless of the radial orientation of the second probe cover10 a. In additional exemplary embodiments, the base 72 may also extendsubstantially annularly around the flange 40 and/or the proximal end 84.In still further exemplary embodiments, one or both of the base 72 andthe shelf 76 may define one or more channels, notches, spaces, breaks,and/or other structures to assist in preventing adjacent stacked probecovers 10, 10 a from sticking together. As described above, suchstructures may prevent such sticking by allowing, for example, airand/or other fluids to pass therebetween.

When probe covers 10, 10 a are stacked together as shown in FIG. 15, agap 96 may be formed between the first probe cover 10 and the secondprobe cover 10 a. Such a gap may be formed and/or otherwise maintainedby engagement between, for example, the base 72 of the second probecover 10 a and the shelf 76 of the first probe cover 10. In an exemplaryembodiment, the gap 96 may extend from the shelf 76 of the first probecover 10 to the distal end 82 (not shown) of the first probe cover 10.It is understood that a gap 96 may be defined by and/or extend betweentwo or more adjacent surfaces of the first and second probe covers 10,10 a. For example, the gap 96 may be defined by the outer surface 78 ofthe first probe cover 10 and the inner surface 53 of the second probecover 10 a. Maintaining such a gap 96 may assist in preventing thewedging, sticking, and/or binding problems discussed herein.

In additional exemplary embodiments in which one or more of the shelf 76and/or the base 72 of adjacent stacked probe covers 10, 10 a define oneor more of the channels, spaces, breaks, and/or other structuresdescribed above, it is understood that the gap 96 may extend throughsuch a structure along substantially the entire outer surface 78 of thefirst probe cover 10. Alternatively, in embodiments in which each of thebase 72 and the shelf 76 extend substantially annularly without any suchchannels, a second gap 98 may be defined between the flange 40 of thefirst probe 10 and the flange 40 of the second probe 10 a. Although theentirety of the stacked probe covers 10 a are not illustrated in FIG.15, it is understood that while the base 72 of the second probe cover 10a contacts the shelf 76 of the first probe cover 10, in an exemplaryembodiment, a remainder of the second probe cover 10 a may be separatedfrom the first probe cover 10 due to the engagement between the base 72and the shelf 76.

Turning now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, there is illustrated a further exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the probecover 10 is also equipped with a series of snap-on fittings 50 asdescribed above. The cove that is formed in the inner wall of the coverbody adjacent to the flange is also provided with a weakened sectionabout which the flange can flex. A circular groove 63 is provided in theouter face of the flange, which contains a camming surface 65 that isangularly offset with regard to the longitudinal axis of the probe. Theend 67 of each ejector mechanism finger 35 is arcuate shaped and acts asa cam follower that rides in sliding contact with the camming surface65. Again, as the ejector is moved from the first cover locking positionto the second release position, each snap on fitting 50 is opened andthe cover is released from the probe.

As noted, it is the general practice to package and ship the covers instacks. A number of probe covers 10-10 are illustrated in FIG. 10 in astacked configuration. When stacked one on top of the other the semicircular tabs on the upper cover are arrange to seat upon the flange ofthe underlying cover to prevent the outer wall surface of the lowercover from moving into binding contact with the inner surface of theupper cover. In addition, the inclined edge surfaces 58 on the outerface of cover flange 40 provide an easily accessible space between eachof the cover which can be utilized to further facilitate removal ofindividual covers from the stack.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that theinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope andspirit of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A probe cover for a medical instrument,comprising: a distal end; a proximal end opposite the distal end; anannular flange disposed at the proximal end; a first shelf extendingalong at least a portion of an outer surface of the flange andsubstantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cover; and acamming surface defined by the flange and configured to mate with anejector mechanism of the instrument slidably engaging the cammingsurface, a section of the flange being configured to flex in response toapplication of a force to the camming surface by the ejector mechanism,wherein such flexing releases the cover from the instrument, wherein theprobe cover further comprising an annular base defined by the flange,the base configured to rest upon a second shelf of an additional probecover stacked therebeneath when the probe cover is stored with theadditional probe cover.
 2. The probe cover of claim 1, furthercomprising a cove disposed substantially beneath the first shelf and atleast partially defined by an inner surface of the cover opposite thefirst shelf, the cove configured to releasably mate with a detent beadof the instrument.
 3. The probe cover of claim 2, wherein a maximumvertical distance between the camming surface and the base is greaterthan or equal to approximately half of a maximum vertical distancebetween the cove and the base.
 4. The probe cover of claim 3, wherein ahorizontal distance between a peak of the camming surface and a radiallyoutermost portion of the cove is less than approximately twice themaximum vertical distance between the cove and the base.
 5. The probecover of claim 2, wherein a portion of the cove extends substantiallyparallel to the first shelf.
 6. The probe cover of claim 1, wherein thecamming surface extends upwardly and inwardly toward the distal end ofthe body.
 7. The probe cover of claim 1, wherein the ejector mechanismslidably engages the camming surface as the ejector mechanism movesalong an arcuate path, relative to the longitudinal axis, in contactwith the camming surface.
 8. The probe cover of claim 7, wherein thesection of the flange is configured to flex inward toward a longitudinalaxis of the probe cover in response to application of the force to thecamming surface.
 9. A method of removing a probe cover from a medicalinstrument, comprising: slidably engaging a cam follower surface of themedical instrument with a camming surface of the cover, the cammingsurface extending at least partially around a proximal end of the cover;flexing the cover about a section of the proximal end in response to theengagement between the cam follower surface and the camming surface; anddisengaging a cove defined by an inner surface of the cover from adetent bead of a distal end of the instrument in response to theflexing, wherein disengaging the cove comprises moving a proximalportion of the cove beyond a peak of the detent bead.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein slidably engaging the cam follower surface with thecamming surface of the cover comprises moving the cam follower surfacealong a substantially arcuate path relative to a longitudinal axis ofthe cover.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein flexing the covercomprises moving a portion of the camming surface toward a longitudinalaxis of the cover.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein slidably engagingthe cam follower surface with the camming surface of the cover comprisesmoving the cam follower surface toward a longitudinal axis of the cover.13. The method of claim 9, wherein flexing the cover comprises moving aportion of the camming surface away from a longitudinal axis of thecover.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein slidably engaging the camfollower surface with the camming surface of the cover comprises movingthe cam follower surface away from a longitudinal axis of the cover. 15.A system for probe cover storage, comprising: a first probe cover, thefirst probe cover having a distal end, a proximal end, a body extendingfrom the distal end and terminating at the proximal end, an annularflange disposed at the proximal end, a camming surface defined by theflange and configured to mate with an ejector mechanism of theinstrument at the proximal end, a section of the flange being configuredto flex in response to application of a force to the camming surface bythe ejector mechanism, and a shelf extending along at least a portion ofan outer surface of the flange and substantially perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the cover; and a second probe cover stacked on topof the first probe cover such that the distal end of the first probecover is disposed substantially adjacent to a distal end of the secondprobe cover, the second probe cover having a base disposed on the shelfof the first probe cover such that a gap is formed between the firstprobe cover and the second probe cover, the gap extending from the shelfto the distal end of the first probe cover.
 16. The system of claim 15,wherein the second probe cover is substantially identical to the firstprobe cover.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the shelf extendsannularly around the outer surface of the flange.
 18. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the base extends substantially perpendicular from alongitudinal axis of the second probe cover.
 19. The system of claim 15,wherein the base is defined by a flange disposed at a proximal end ofthe second probe cover, the base extending substantially annularlyaround the proximal end of the second probe cover.
 20. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the gap extends between the flange of the first probeand a flange of the second probe.
 21. The system of claim 15, whereinthe gap extends between an outer surface of the first probe cover and aninner surface of the second probe cover.
 22. A probe cover for a medicalinstrument, comprising: a substantially conical body having a distalend, a proximal end, and a flange disposed at the proximal end andannularly surrounding the proximal end, the body defining a longitudinalaxis and tapering away from the longitudinal axis from the distal endtoward the proximal end, the body terminating at the proximal end; an IRtransparent portion disposed at the distal end of the body; a coveformed by an inner surface of the body, the cove extending annularlyaround the body and being configured to receive a plurality of detentbeads of the instrument for releasably connecting the probe cover to theinstrument; a camming surface defined by the flange and configured toreceive an ejector finger of the instrument slidably engaging thecamming surface; and a weakened section formed proximate the cove, theweakened section configured to bend in response to an upward forceapplied to the camming surface by the ejector finger, wherein bending ofthe weakened section removes the cove from the plurality of detent beadsand releases the probe cover from the instrument.
 23. The probe cover ofclaim 22, further comprising an annular shelf extending transverse tothe longitudinal axis, the shelf being disposed substantially above thecove and defined by a portion of an outer surface of the cover oppositethe cove.
 24. The probe cover of claim 22, further comprising a basedefined by the flange, the base being configured to rest upon a shelf ofan additional probe cover stacked therebeneath when the probe cover isstored with the additional probe cover, wherein a maximum verticaldistance between the camming surface and the base is greater than orequal to approximately half of a maximum vertical distance between thecove and the base.
 25. The probe cover of claim 24, wherein a horizontaldistance between a vertically uppermost portion of the camming surfaceand a radially outermost portion of the cove is less than approximatelytwice the maximum vertical distance between the cove and the base.